5 Ways to Practice Mindfulness as Part of your Recovery

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The uncertainty and unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it an understandably anxious and difficult time for those that are in recovery from substance abuse disorder. While there is no universal solution, the practice of mindfulness meditation has shown to trigger a positive response from some of those in recovery. Mindfulness entails actively focusing on the current moment and calming your mind and body to help slow down your thoughts. With so much going on, the calmness that it brings makes it an ideal practice for those in recovery. Below are five ways to practice mindfulness as part of your recovery.

Think About Your Feelings

Life can move at a blistering pace and it can be difficult to process it all. With so much happening, it can be easy to forget to pay attention to your feelings and thoughts. Practice mindfulness by taking in what’s occurring around you and giving attention to your feelings. Think about how you’re processing each moment. When things feel overwhelming and chaotic, this can help add some semblance of control. 

Practice Acceptance

Recovery can be an emotional process filled with its highs and lows. It’s important to never let your emotions overflow and get the best of you. Instead, it’s best to approach things with a neutral and objective mindset and your emotions at an even-keeled level. Mindful acceptance teaches you to accept that there will be lows, but never to be swept up in emotion because of it. 

Avoid Judging Yourself

Mindfulness allows you to express your feelings without judgment. It’s understandable to have urges to use once more or to feel guilt over past behavior. When these feelings arise, avoid negatively judging yourself. It’s important that you give yourself the respect and understanding that you would to a loved one or someone close to you. 

Take a Moment to Breathe

Although you can’t always control what happens around you, you do have control over how you react to it. When negative thoughts begin to arise, take a step back and give yourself a chance to simply breathe. Situate yourself somewhere, close your eyes and take deep breaths. For an entire minute, completely focus on your breathing and nothing else. This can have a calming effect that can reduce certain urges and emotions.

Walking Meditation

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be a stationary practice. You can practice mindfulness by taking a short walk. Whether it’s in the middle of the day, or one of the first things you do in the morning, going on a walk can be a way for you to quietly meditate. When you’re on your walk, don’t be too brisk with your pace. Instead, slow your walk and think about each step you take. Be cognizant of all of your movements and everything that you’re feeling during the moment.

Going through recovery in a difficult time like this can be a challenging experience. This makes receiving proper guidance and support more necessary than ever before. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we operate six facilities throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County area, including one in Laguna Hills, where our certified team strives to provide an environment where those on their journey toward recovery can receive such support. Get in touch with us by calling us at (866) 594-8844 or filling out our online form to get started today. Our team of professionals will provide you with a no-cost interview and assessment for alcohol and drug issues.

Preparing for the Transition to a Post-Pandemic Summer in Addiction Recovery

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While we’re not out of the woods just yet, the COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly entering a different stage with looser restrictions and a return to normalcy on the horizon. What that means exactly is anybody’s best guess. What we do know is that there will be many changes amidst this transition. This means that those in recovery and treatment need to be prepared to react to all of these changes and adjust to this new environment that will test their resolve and mentality.

Facing Uncertainty and the Unknown 

As society begins opening back up and we all prepare for a return to a “new normal,” there’s a lot of uncertainty and anxiety over what this entails. With so much that is unknown, this can be a difficult time for those that are newer to addiction recovery or have relapsed during the pandemic. It’s important to approach this next transition stage with patience and calm. We encourage you to take things slowly and not rush into making any huge changes to your daily routine. Focus on a day at a time and don’t feel the need to do anything drastic. 

Social Pressures

With loosening restrictions and a steady increase in outdoor events, those who are in recovery may feel pressured to get involved in social situations and occurrences. This is understandable because of the amount of time that we have spent isolated and away from others. While we don’t advise you to continue your isolation, we do urge you to be careful of putting yourselves in risky social environments that feature drug and alcohol use. Instead, act with caution and only involve yourself in safe social settings that won’t be a risk to your health and well-being.   

Possible Changes in Treatment

One of the unfortunate effects of the pandemic has been a rise in substance abuse. This means that the post-pandemic period will likely see more patients in rehab treatment centers. This could affect the treatment of those currently in recovery because the influx of more patients may force facilities to adjust their scheduling and their approach. We encourage those currently in recovery to talk with those in charge of their addiction treatment to see if changes are anticipated. If changes are coming, work with those in charge to adapt to your new circumstances.   

Overcoming addiction can be difficult enough without the uncertainty brought upon by the post-pandemic period. Now more than ever, proper guidance and support are needed for those recovering from addiction. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we operate six facilities throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County area, including one in Laguna Hills, where our certified team works to provide an environment that is welcoming and open for those on their journey toward recovery. Get in touch with us by calling us at (866) 594-8844 or filling out our online form to get started today. Our team of professionals will provide you with a no-cost interview and assessment for alcohol and drug issues.

How Drug Addiction Impacts Your Relationships

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Drug addiction can consume and impact all aspects of a person’s life, including their closest relationships with their family, friends, and those around them. The effect can be swift and significant and serves as a massive change for the person affected by the addiction. This change represents why it is so difficult to overcome addiction; it is the result of the deterioration of the relationships that the individual has with those who love them. Here’s exactly how drug addiction can negatively affect these relationships.

Dishonesty and Deception

When a person is addicted to drugs and becomes aware of the severity of their issue, they will often attempt to cover up their activities and start being more secretive. This comes from both guilt and shame for their actions. Attempts to prevent their friends and family from learning of their activities will start with small lies and usually evolve into much larger ones. From lying about where they’ve been to being dishonest about money usage, things can quickly spiral out of control as the person with the addiction will try to hide their drug use from those around them. This can cause trust to be lost and relationships to falter.   

Loss of Trust

With the amount of dishonesty and deception coming from a loved one with an addiction, it can be easy to lose trust in their actions and words. The loss of trust can be a turning point in a relationship that causes an irreparable change for the worst. Trust is an important part of a relationship and once that has been lost, it can be difficult to gain back. Because an individual with an addiction is often preoccupied and focused on their drug use, it can also be difficult for them to take the necessary steps to win back the trust they’ve lost.  

Enabling Relationships

When a loved one suffers from an addiction, there is a tendency from some of their family and friends to attempt to help them by enabling and accepting their poor behavior. Things like excusing their drug use, giving them money without knowing how it’s being spent, or not holding them accountable are typical examples of enabling. However, enabling their addictive behavior will only encourage them to continue using drugs. This type of unbalanced relationship where one party is taking advantage of another is also not a healthy one and will put a strain on those involved. 

Codependent Relationships

Codependent relationships where one party serves as the caretaker of an addicted individual can often be dysfunctional and toxic. This type of relationship does not serve to benefit either partner. This is because there is an imbalance where one person forgoes their own needs and tries to take care of another, but is not providing help that is conducive for improvement and betterment. This, along with enabling behavior, can allow the addicted partner to fall deeper into their addiction. 

Anger and Violence

In some cases, the significant hold that addiction can have on a person can boil over and manifest in them lashing out in violent ways. Certain substances can trigger aggressive behavior that will escalate less intensive arguments into something more serious and perhaps even physical. Anger is not exclusive to just the individual with the addiction. Those around them can also be angry at their loved one for their volatile actions. Ultimately, all of this anger, resentment, and violent behavior will drive away even those closest to a person. 

Drug and substance abuse can put a strain on your closest relationships. The first step toward mending these relationships is acknowledging that there is a problem and expressing a willingness to start your journey toward recovery. Such a journey won’t be easy and will require proper addiction treatment and support. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we provide useful resources and evidence-based drug addiction treatment programs that have been personalized to match the rehab treatment needs of our patients in Laguna Hills and throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. For more information about our programs, please call us at (866) 594-8844 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment for a no-cost assessment.

How to Stage an Intervention to Help a Loved One Overcome Addiction

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Although there are many instances where a person who suffers from addiction realizes the issue they have and seeks out help themselves, this isn’t always the case. There are certain situations where addicted individuals refuse to recognize that they have an addiction problem. Moreover, some of them may not even be aware of the negative impact of addiction on themselves and those around them. It’s at this point where an intervention may be required to help someone you care to overcome their addiction. An intervention can be a turning point for your loved one, here’s a guide for staging an intervention to help them express their feelings and start on the path to recovery.

Develop a Plan

One of the first things that you’ll need to do is to formulate a plan. This primarily entails creating a trusted team of people that have your loved one’s best interests in mind. For this stage, we recommend that you reach out to a professional with experience in staging successful interventions who can work with you to develop a plan that is both effective and productive. Because of the personal nature of the situation, it’s best to have someone who has an outside perspective to help mediate any disagreements.

Do Your Research on Treatment Options

There are many different treatment program options available which means that you’ll need to do thorough research on which treatment program is the most appropriate for your loved one. Whether it’s behavioral therapy, drug detox, or addiction treatment, learn as much as you can about these services and how they can impact your loved one. If necessary, get in contact with treatment centers and ask them about the approach that you should take with your loved one.

Create an Intervention Team

The members of your intervention team should be those who are close to your loved one and have been affected in some way by their substance abuse. Get in touch with family members, friends, or even coworkers. Form a team of people who truly cares about your loved one and is interested in helping them achieve long-term success and sobriety. Keep in mind that all of this needs to be done discreetly and without the knowledge of the addicted individual. 

Establish Consequences

Have some members of your intervention team establish consequences for your loved one if they fail to seek treatment or attempt to delay doing so even after committing to it. Although it seems harsh, having consequences can help motivate your loved one to get the help that they need. With how common relapse occurs during the recovery process, consequences can be particularly helpful in fighting against the possibility of it occurring.

Have Speeches Prepared

Every member of your intervention team should be prepared to speak about how your loved one’s addiction has personally affected them. Encourage them to provide specific anecdotes and events for those who do have one. Members of your intervention team should also remember to stress the importance of seeking professional treatment for your loved one. This is intended to be a revelatory experience for the addicted individual and how their behavior has negatively impacted those around them. 

Hold the Intervention

Agree upon a place and time to meet for the intervention and then hold it. Give everybody on the team a chance to talk and give their speech to your loved one. The hope is that your loved one will recognize that they have a problem and will commit to seeking treatment. Once a commitment has been made, have each person inform your loved one of the consequences of not attending treatment.

Stay Committed to the Plan

Support your loved one on their journey to recovery and give them a push whenever necessary. There may be instances where they will feel discouraged or suffer setbacks, it’s up to you and the rest of your loved one’s support system to help out whenever needed. It certainly won’t be an easy process which makes it especially necessary for you to stick to the plan and help facilitate the process.

By starting your journey towards recovery, you are beginning a new chapter in your life. Going through such a dramatic change in your life requires both support and guidance. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we provide useful resources and evidence-based treatment programs that have been tailored to fit the individual needs of our patients in Laguna Hills and throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. For more information about our programs, please call us at (866) 594-8844 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment for a no-cost assessment.

Understanding the 5 Stages of Alcoholism Recovery

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From beginning to end, alcoholism recovery is a complex and difficult process that tests the determination of those who go through it. Although each person’s experience with alcoholism recovery is unique and different from one another, there are some shared characteristics throughout the process. Those recovering will generally experience the five stages of alcoholism recovery in the same order. If you are a resident of Laguna Hills or anywhere else in Orange County and interested in learning more, here’s more information about what each stage entails. 

Recognition and Acknowledgment

The first step to recovery is showing awareness and recognizing that there is a problem. This recognition is often spurred by different issues like relationship difficulties and trouble at work. Although there is this awareness and acknowledgment that things have gotten out of hand, a person at this stage is usually not prepared to stop their drinking or take responsibility for it. If you ever interact with someone in this stage who is willing to discuss their issues, it’s best to take a sympathetic conversational approach with this person.

Contemplation

In the contemplation stage, a person suffering from alcoholism is often looking into different options for treatment but is undecided about whether or not to pursue professional help. A clear sign that someone has progressed to this stage is if they have begun attempting to learn about alcohol abuse and its symptoms or have discussed their consideration about no longer consuming alcohol to others. This is an encouraging point because the addicted individual is starting to become more open to a solution for their issue. 

Preparation

A person enters the preparation stage when they have committed to adjusting their ways and are looking into different solutions. While they still are consuming alcohol, there has been a meaningful shift in terms of their mindset that is encouraging and hints toward the possibility of change. This is an extremely critical step in which many people fail to make it to this point. When an individual is preparing to take action towards recovery such as setting goals and researching different treatment program options, it indicates that they are ready to take the next step. 

Taking Action

Detox is one of the first steps for treating alcoholism. Because of various factors like withdrawal and the severity of its symptoms, it’s especially recommended that an individual goes through a detoxification process in a treatment facility and with professional help. Once someone has completed detox, they can start to slowly progress towards a healthier lifestyle. Ultimately, this is a difficult stage that poses many challenges for those who go through it. Relapse is something that often occurs during this period, particularly at the beginning of the process. A treatment facility and all of its resources can be especially helpful during this time.

Maintenance and Relapse Prevention

Once an individual has achieved sobriety, they enter the maintenance stage where the goal is to continue exhibiting all of the positive techniques and behavior that they have learned throughout the recovery. At this point, it’s all about being careful not to fall back into bad habits and learning to live a fulfilling life that is without alcohol. The threat of relapse will always be there which is why a person can never get too comfortable or dismissive about the possibility.

Recovering from alcohol is no easy task especially without proper guidance and a strong support system. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we operate six facilities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County area including one in Laguna Hills, where our experienced staff work to provide a safe and open environment for those beginning their journey towards recovery. Get in touch with us by calling us at (866) 594-8844 or filling out our online form to get started today. Our team of professionals will provide you with a no-cost interview and assessment for alcohol and drug issues

How Long Does the Withdrawal Effect Last?

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Those who attempt to quit alcohol or substance use may experience symptoms commonly associated with withdrawal. These symptoms can range from psychological to physical ailments and can vary in terms of severity. The withdrawal effect can make overcoming addiction or substance abuse seem unachievable. With the proper help and support, however, a person can move past this difficult period and progress on their journey towards recovery. But what exactly is withdrawal and just how long should someone expect its effect to last? 

Defining Withdrawal and its Timeline

Withdrawal occurs when a person has become excessively dependent on alcohol or a substance. This dependency comes as a result of heavy alcohol or substance use. There are also cases where one’s genetics can contribute to quickening a person’s dependency and addiction to substances. 

The range for withdrawal from alcohol or substances typically varies between five and seven days. Withdrawal symptoms can start to arise either immediately after just a few hours or after two days. However, the peak of the symptoms should occur after around 48 hours or a little beyond that point. Once this period has passed, you should begin to no longer feel most of the noticeable symptoms. 

Post-Acute-Withdrawal Syndrome

In some cases though, the effects of withdrawal will extend beyond the typical 5-to-7-day window period. There have been instances where withdrawal has persisted for weeks and even years with an individual. This could be occurring because of your brain chemistry taking a while to readjust after a long period of alcohol or drug dependency and reliance. Those who go through this process may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome and its long-term effects.

This condition’s symptoms are often more psychologically oriented. They include fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. These kinds of symptoms can stay with a person for months and years. However, these issues and their impacts can be lessened through support and treatment. Twin Town Treatment Centers provides an outpatient treatment that is a diverse and comprehensive program that will support you or your loved ones on all levels. It is immediately practiced in daily life by our patients and has proven to be effective.

The process of quitting alcohol or substance use can be challenging without guidance and a proper support system. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we operate six facilities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County that strive to offer both experiences while continuing to provide a safe and welcoming environment for those starting their journey towards recovery. Get in touch with us today by calling us at (866) 594-8844 or fill out our online form to get started. Our team of professionals will provide you with a no-cost interview and assessment for alcohol and drug issues

5 Tips for Choosing a Rehab Program

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Deciding to enter a rehab program is a significant decision for a person because it involves admitting that there is an issue. The process can be overwhelming not just because of the obvious emotional reasons, but also because of decisions that need to be made regarding which program is the right fit for you. There are many rehab options available, so how does one go about selecting the program that will best support them? If you’re in the process of choosing a treatment center, keep these tips in mind.

Recognize What You Need

Rehab programs can differ in the approach they take in regard to the type of care and treatment they provide. There are various different treatment settings that are offered to patients. For instance, inpatient treatment centers provide patients with 24/7 care and allow them to live at a facility. The setting is akin to that of a hospital. This is also the case with sober living homes that serve as safe housing for those exiting rehab programs. Meanwhile, outpatient treatments are programs that allow patients to come to a facility for therapy sessions and return home upon its conclusion. Those with work and family commitments often prefer this type of approach. When you’re doing your research on a particular treatment center, be sure to learn about the program’s approach, care, and environment. You’ll want to choose a rehab program that best fits your needs and circumstances. 

Take into Account the Location

Determine whether having your treatment center further away or close by is more beneficial for you. A rehab facility that is away from your present situation could be preferable because it will make it easier for you to distance yourself from anything unrelated to recovery. On the other hand, a treatment center that is nearby may be more beneficial for you because it will allow your friends and family to offer support and visit whenever you want them to. Twin Town Treatment Centers operates six facilities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County that are all equipped to address your needs. 

Look into the Qualifications and Credentials of the Staff

You want the people that are overseeing your treatment and rehab to be qualified and trained to do so. This means that you need to ask about the accreditations and credentials of the staff of the treatment center that you are considering. Ensuring that you receive qualified high-quality care to address your substance or alcohol use is an important priority for your journey to recovery.

Understand the Therapies and Practices Used

The most effective rehab programs are ones that use evidence-based treatments or proven alternative therapies. Discover the types of therapies and practices that are being offered by your treatment center options. Learn more about them and think about whether they are the right fit for what you’re looking for. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we offer our patients cognitive-behavior therapy where we place a focus on mental health and reframing negative thoughts. 

Ask About the Recovery Rate

Ideally, you want a rehab program that is honest and transparent with you about the difficulties of recovery. Any treatment center that makes outlandish or unrealistic claims should not be taken seriously. Be sure to ask your rehab program options that you are considering about their recovery rate as you want to at least get a grasp of the quality of treatment. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, over 70% of our clients complete the initial phases of treatment, which is almost twice the national average. Of all of our former patients studied after 9 – 12 months following their discharge from our program, 76% have at least three months of continuous sobriety. Furthermore, 68% of our patients stayed sober after leaving Twin Town’s treatment.

By starting your journey towards recovery, you are beginning a new chapter in your life. Going through such a dramatic change in your life requires both support and guidance. At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we offer support at our various facilities by providing useful resources and programs that have been tailored to fit the individual needs of our patients. For more information about our programs, please call us at (866) 594-8844 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment for a no-cost assessment.

5 Positive Impacts That Happen When You Stop Drinking

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Excessive alcohol use can be a destructive force that can negatively impact an individual in numerous ways. If you’re a person contemplating whether or not to stop drinking, you should consider stopping and getting the help you need. Stopping your alcohol consumption can bring about several noticeable benefits. 

You’ll Get Healthier

Long-term excessive alcohol use can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and many other serious ailments. Just by stopping your consumption, you can significantly lower your risk of obtaining any of these illnesses. Your body can heal which means that it’s not too late for you to stop drinking and get healthier.

You’ll Look Better

Alcohol consumption has an adverse effect on how you look. It can add wrinkles to your face, dry out your skin, and reduce its elasticity. Stopping your drinking can reverse all of those effects and you’ll look better as a result. 

Your Sleep Will Improve

Alcohol has been shown to hurt the quality of your sleep. You can ensure a better night’s sleep by stopping your consumption of alcohol. Not only will you wake up feeling better, but you’ll also be more active and productive during the day. 

You’ll Save Money

Although alcohol is one of the less costly substances, excessive use can add up your expenses. Along with the costs of buying alcohol, you might also be paying for the consequences of consuming it. A DUI can cost a person thousands of dollars. Simply quitting drinking and no longer buying alcohol can save you quite a bit of money.  

Your Relationships Will Get Better

Alcohol can damage your relationships with your friends and loved ones. This is because it can negatively affect your behavior causing you to become angrier, more irritable, and less trustworthy. This behavior can change though once you stop drinking and you can return to being who you once were. You can then begin to repair the relationships in your life. 

Quitting drinking is not an easy process which is why Twin Town Treatment Centers provides the resources and guidance necessary to help get your life back on track. We operate six facilities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County where our professional team offers individualized care and a structured support system for our patients. For more information about our programs, please call us at (866) 594-8844 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment for a no-cost assessment.

Understanding Relapse Dreams in Recovery

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For those recovering from addiction, dreaming about relapsing is a common occurrence. While it may seem like a warning sign of possible relapse in the future, research done on the matter actually indicates that this may not be true. Here’s what you need to know about having relapse dreams when you are in recovery. 

What prompts relapse dreams?

There are different factors that can make a person more susceptible to having dreams about relapsing. Studies like those conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital Recovery Research Institute have shown that those who are in treatment for substance use or have attended meetings for Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous are more likely to have a relapse dream. Those who have relapse dreams are most commonly those in recovery. Another determinant factor in having dreams about relapse is the length of time that you’ve been in recovery. The longer a person has been in recovery, the less likely they are to have relapse dreams. 

Correlation between relapse dreams and relapsing

It’s also important to note that the study from MGH Recovery Research Institute states that there wasn’t any correlation between having relapse dreams and relapsing. It did find that those who more frequently have relapse dreams were individuals who were newer to recovery and had had a serious and long history of substance abuse. 

If you do have a relapse dream, it does not indicate that you are about to relapse. In fact, it might not even be a bad sign. Those who wake from a relapse dream and are grateful to know that it wasn’t real, are showing that they have progressed positively because there is a desire to overcome and live a healthier life.

Recovering from something as difficult as addiction requires support and guidance. Twin Town Treatment Centers operates six facilities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County that offer a safe and welcoming environment for those on the path of recovery from addiction. Our outpatient treatment is immediately practiced in daily life by our patients and is effective and affordable. Reach out to us today by calling us at (866) 594-8844 or fill out our online form to get started. Our team of professionals will provide you with a no-cost interview and assessment for alcohol and drug issues

Group Therapy vs. Family Therapy: What’s the Difference?

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When it comes to recovery programs, there are different forms of therapy that occur with groups of people participating at the same time. Some examples of these are group therapy and family therapy. While the two forms of therapy share some similarities, they also have their own distinct characteristics and approaches.

Family Therapy

Family therapy involves the person struggling with addiction and their family. This type of therapy is usually used to treat addiction. This is because addiction is something that affects both the addicted individual and their family. Family therapy is seen as an effective addiction treatment because it addresses the issue as a whole. With family being there, there’s a personal nature that can help unearth truths that give a better understanding of the addicted individual and all involved. The process can result in healing and development for all of the parties that participate. 

Group Therapy 

Group therapy involves numerous strangers with no familial connection to one another. They are usually individuals receiving treatment from the same facility. This treatment is effective because there is no familiarity amongst the involved parties and everybody is driven to develop listening and communication skills in this setting. There’s a bond that is also formed from this new support system by sharing experiences of addiction and time together. 

Conclusion

Both group and family therapy can be beneficial for a person in recovery by helping them realize things about themselves and others around them. Both forms of therapy encourage speaking out and can help a person develop new bonds or strengthen existing ones. Twin Town Treatment Centers offers similar programs such as these that are meant to guide a person through their path of recovery. Our day treatment and intensive outpatient programs are effective, practical, and affordable, which are scheduled to fit your unique circumstances.

Twin Town Treatment Centers is a safe and friendly space for those on the path of recovery from addiction. We operate six facilities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County where our team is committed to providing support and serving as a bridge so that those in recovery may begin the process of personal healing and development. Contact us today by calling us at (866) 594-8844 to get started with a no-cost assessment.